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Schüßler D, Blanco MB, Guthrie NK, Sgarlata GM, Dammhahn M, Ernest R, Evasoa MR, Hasiniaina A, Hending D, Jan F, le Pors B, Miller A, Olivieri G, Rakotonanahary AN, Rakotondranary SJ, Rakotondravony R, Ralantoharijaona T, Ramananjato V, Randrianambinina B, Raoelinjanakolona NN, Rasoazanabary E, Rasoloarison RM, Rasolofoson DW, Rasoloharijaona S, Rasolondraibe E, Roberts SH, Teixeira H, van Elst T, Johnson SE, Ganzhorn JU, Chikhi L, Kappeler PM, Louis EE, Salmona J, Radespiel U. Morphological variability or inter-observer bias? A methodological toolkit to improve data quality of multi-researcher datasets for the analysis of morphological variation. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 2024; 183:60-78. [PMID: 37607125 DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.24836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The investigation of morphological variation in animals is widely used in taxonomy, ecology, and evolution. Using large datasets for meta-analyses has dramatically increased, raising concerns about dataset compatibilities and biases introduced by contributions of multiple researchers. MATERIALS AND METHODS We compiled morphological data on 13 variables for 3073 individual mouse lemurs (Cheirogaleidae, Microcebus spp.) from 25 taxa and 153 different sampling locations, measured by 48 different researchers. We introduced and applied a filtering pipeline and quantified improvements in data quality (Shapiro-Francia statistic, skewness, and excess kurtosis). The filtered dataset was then used to test for genus-wide sexual size dimorphism and the applicability of Rensch's, Allen's, and Bergmann's rules. RESULTS Our pipeline reduced inter-observer bias (i.e., increased normality of data distributions). Inter-observer reliability of measurements was notably variable, highlighting the need to reduce data collection biases. Although subtle, we found a consistent pattern of sexual size dimorphism across Microcebus, with females being the larger (but not heavier) sex. Sexual size dimorphism was isometric, providing no support for Rensch's rule. Variations in tail length but not in ear size were consistent with the predictions of Allen's rule. Body mass and length followed a pattern contrary to predictions of Bergmann's rule. DISCUSSION We highlighted the usefulness of large multi-researcher datasets for testing ecological hypotheses after correcting for inter-observer biases. Using genus-wide tests, we outlined generalizable patterns of morphological variability across all mouse lemurs. This new methodological toolkit aims to facilitate future large-scale morphological comparisons for a wide range of taxa and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Schüßler
- Institute of Biology and Chemistry, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany
| | | | - Nicola K Guthrie
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Mamy Rina Evasoa
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alida Hasiniaina
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- School for International Training, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Fabien Jan
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | | | - Alex Miller
- Perth Zoo, South Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gillian Olivieri
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | - Romule Rakotondravony
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels, Université de Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Tantely Ralantoharijaona
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels, Université de Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Veronarindra Ramananjato
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Blanchard Randrianambinina
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels, Université de Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Nancia N Raoelinjanakolona
- Mention Zoologie et Biodiversité Animale, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | | | - Rodin M Rasoloarison
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - David W Rasolofoson
- Groupe d'Etude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP), Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Solofonirina Rasoloharijaona
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels, Université de Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Emmanuel Rasolondraibe
- Faculté des Sciences, de Technologies et de l'Environnement, Ecole Doctorale Ecosystèmes Naturels, Université de Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | | | - Helena Teixeira
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
- UMR ENTROPIE, Université de La Réunion, La Réunion, France
| | - Tobias van Elst
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Steig E Johnson
- Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jörg U Ganzhorn
- Animal Ecology and Conservation, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lounès Chikhi
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
- Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR5174, IRD, CNRS, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Peter M Kappeler
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Anthropology/Sociobiology, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Edward E Louis
- Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership (MBP), Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Jordi Salmona
- Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR5174, IRD, CNRS, Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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2
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Poelstra JW, Montero BK, Lüdemann J, Yang Z, Rakotondranary SJ, Hohenlohe P, Stetter N, Ganzhorn JU, Yoder AD. RADseq data reveal a lack of admixture in a mouse lemur contact zone contrary to previous microsatellite results. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220596. [PMID: 35946151 PMCID: PMC9364002 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsatellites have been a workhorse of evolutionary genetic studies for decades and are still commonly in use for estimating signatures of genetic diversity at the population and species level across a multitude of taxa. Yet, the very high mutation rate of these loci is a double-edged sword, conferring great sensitivity at shallow levels of analysis (e.g. paternity analysis) but yielding considerable uncertainty for deeper evolutionary comparisons. For the present study, we used reduced representation genome-wide data (restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq)) to test for patterns of interspecific hybridization previously characterized using microsatellite data in a contact zone between two closely related mouse lemur species in Madagascar (Microcebus murinus and Microcebus griseorufus). We revisit this system by examining populations in, near, and far from the contact zone, including many of the same individuals that had previously been identified as hybrids with microsatellite data. Surprisingly, we find no evidence for admixed nuclear ancestry. Instead, re-analyses of microsatellite data and simulations suggest that previously inferred hybrids were false positives and that the program NewHybrids can be particularly sensitive to erroneously inferring hybrid ancestry. Combined with results from coalescent-based analyses and evidence for local syntopic co-occurrence, we conclude that the two mouse lemur species are in fact completely reproductively isolated, thus providing a new understanding of the evolutionary rate whereby reproductive isolation can be achieved in a primate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelmer W. Poelstra
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA,Molecular and Cellular Imaging Center, Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
| | - B. Karina Montero
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, 20146, Germany
| | - Jan Lüdemann
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, 20146, Germany
| | - Ziheng Yang
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | - S. Jacques Rakotondranary
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, 20146, Germany,Anthropobiologie et Développement Durable, Faculté des Sciences, Université d'Antananarivo, PO Box 906, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Paul Hohenlohe
- Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Nadine Stetter
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, 20146, Germany,Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jörg U. Ganzhorn
- Institute of Zoology, Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, 20146, Germany
| | - Anne D. Yoder
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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3
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Shifting Biogeographic Patterns of Microcebus ravelobensis and M. murinus. INT J PRIMATOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-022-00304-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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4
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Kappeler PM, Pethig L, Prox L, Fichtel C. Reproductive Senescence in Two Lemur Lineages. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.894344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between age and reproductive performance is highly variable across species. Humans and some cetaceans exhibit an extreme form of reproductive senescence in that female reproduction ceases years or even decades before average life expectancy is reached. However, neither the existence of reproductive senescence in some taxa nor its absence in others is fully understood. Comparative data from other long-lived mammals may contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the evolution of menopause, but data from wild primates, in particular, are scarce. We therefore investigated age-related female reproductive performance in two wild sympatric populations of Malagasy primates: Verreaux’s sifakas (Propithecus verreauxi) and redfronted lemurs (Eulemur rufifrons), which have a maximal longevity of more than 20 years. Based on 25 years of long-term demographic data, we extracted information on reproductive output of 38 female Verreaux’s sifakas and 42 female redfronted lemurs. We modeled variation in female reproductive performance and interbirth intervals as a function of age, the number of adult females within a group to account for female competition, and rainfall as a proxy for annual variation in food availability. We also compared our results for these two species with data on captive populations of the same two genera that are buffered from fluctuations in environmental variables. Our analyses disclosed statistical evidence for reproductive senescence in three out of four populations (captive Coquerel’s sifakas, wild redfronted lemurs, and captive red lemurs) but not for wild Verreaux’s sifakas. Compared to wild populations, reproductive senescence was therefore not less pronounced in captive animals, even though the latter are buffered from environmental adversities. In wild redfronted lemurs, mothers were more likely to give birth in years with more rainfall, but neither the number of co-resident females, nor annual rainfall did predict variation in the probability of giving birth in wild Verreaux’s sifakas. Thus, our study contributes valuable comparative information on reproductive senescence in a basal group of primates, and offers insights into the modulating effects of environmental, social and phylogenetic factors on patterns and dynamics of age-specific female reproduction.
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Radespiel U, Scheumann M. Introduction to the Special Issue Celebrating the Life and Work of Elke Zimmermann. INT J PRIMATOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-022-00307-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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6
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RADseq Data Suggest Occasional Hybridization between Microcebus murinus and M. ravelobensis in Northwestern Madagascar. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050913. [PMID: 35627298 PMCID: PMC9140448 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of natural hybridization has been reported in a wide range of organisms, including primates. The present study focuses on the endemic lemurs of Madagascar, primates for which only a few species occur in sympatry or parapatry with congeners, thereby creating limited opportunity for natural hybridization. This study examines RADseq data from 480 individuals to investigate whether the recent expansion of Microcebus murinus towards the northwest and subsequent secondary contact with Microcebus ravelobensis has resulted in the occurrence of hybridization between the two species. Admixture analysis identified one individual with 26% of nuclear admixture, which may correspond to an F2- or F3-hybrid. A composite-likelihood approach was subsequently used to test the fit of alternative phylogeographic scenarios to the genomic data and to date introgression. The simulations yielded support for low levels of gene flow (2Nm0 = 0.063) between the two species starting before the Last Glacial Maximum (between 54 and 142 kyr). Since M. murinus most likely colonized northwestern Madagascar during the Late Pleistocene, the rather recent secondary contact with M. ravelobensis has likely created the opportunity for occasional hybridization. Although reproductive isolation between these distantly related congeners is not complete, it is effective in maintaining species boundaries.
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7
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Tinsman J, Volampeno S, Ganas-Swaray J, Gann D, Andrianirina N, Chamizo M, Ralazampirenena C, Ranaivoarisoa JF, Ravaoarisoa H, Rivero J, Zamora A, Gomes CM. Habitat use by the island lemurs of Nosy Be, Madagascar. Am J Primatol 2022; 84:e23362. [PMID: 35098568 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Madagascar's lemurs are threatened by forest loss, fragmentation, and degradation. Many species use flexible behaviors to survive in degraded habitat, but their ability to persist in very small areas may be limited. Insular lemurs, like those found on Nosy Be, an island off the northwestern coast of Madagascar, are at heightened risk of sudden population declines and extirpation. Nosy Be is home to two Critically Endangered species-the endemic Nosy Be sportive lemur (Lepilemur tymerlachsoni) and Claire's mouse lemur (Microcebus mamiratra)-as well as the Endangered black lemur (Eulemur macaco). Most of the remaining forest on Nosy Be is protected by the 862-ha Lokobe National Park. To document how Nosy Be lemurs use their restricted habitat, we conducted vegetation and reconnaissance surveys on 53 transects in and around Lokobe. We collected data on tree size, canopy cover, understory visibility, and elevation for 248 lemur sightings. We used a spatially explicit, multi-species occupancy model to investigate which forest-structure variables are important to lemurs. Our results represent some of the first data on habitat use by insular lemurs. Black lemurs preferred significantly larger trees and areas with less dense understory. They also occurred significantly less outside of Lokobe National Park, even when accounting for sampling effort and geography. The distributions of the sportive and mouse lemurs were not related to the forest structure variables we documented, but they did negatively predict each other-perhaps because their habitat requirements differ. These results also underscore the importance of the national park to protecting the black lemur population on Nosy Be and raise questions about what factors do influence the distribution of Nosy Be's smaller lemurs. Close monitoring is needed to prevent these populations and the ecosystem services they provide from disappearing, as have other island lemurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen Tinsman
- Tropical Conservation Institute, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA.,Center for Tropical Research, Institute of the Environment & Sustainability, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel Gann
- Department of Biology, FIU, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Natacha Andrianirina
- Tropical Conservation Institute, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Anthropobiology and Sustainable Development, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Madison Chamizo
- Tropical Conservation Institute, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Claude Ralazampirenena
- Tropical Conservation Institute, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA.,Ministère de l'Environnement et du Développement Durable, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Jean F Ranaivoarisoa
- Department of Anthropobiology and Sustainable Development, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Hasina Ravaoarisoa
- Tropical Conservation Institute, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Anthropobiology and Sustainable Development, Université d'Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Josie Rivero
- Tropical Conservation Institute, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Ecology & Environmental Studies, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, Florida, USA
| | - Andrew Zamora
- Tropical Conservation Institute, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA.,Department of Anthropology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cristina M Gomes
- Tropical Conservation Institute, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
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8
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Radespiel U, Rakotondravony R, Rasoloharijaona S, Randrianambinina B. A 24-Year Record of Female Reproductive Dynamics in Two Sympatric Mouse Lemur Species in Northwestern Madagascar. INT J PRIMATOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-021-00261-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractSeasonal reproduction is widespread among primates but the degree of reproductive synchrony and plasticity can vary, even between closely related species. This study compares the dynamics of female reproductive seasonality in two mouse lemur species, Microcebus murinus and M. ravelobensis, in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar, across 24 years. We collected 4321 records of female reproductive state from 1033 individual females (319 M. murinus, 714 M. ravelobensis). The analyses revealed disparate reproductive schedules: While female M. murinus showed high degrees of reproductive synchrony throughout all years, leading to the production of two successive litters, the seasonal onset of estrus (= reproductive activation) in female M. ravelobensis was more flexible than in M. murinus, starting 2-4 weeks earlier, varying by up to 4 weeks between years, and being less synchronized. M. ravelobensis females became reproductively active later in years with more rainfall, in particular rain in February, but the timing of reproductive activation was not related to differences in temperatures. The likelihood of early conception was significantly lower in M. ravelobensis than in M. murinus. This was partly due to delayed reproductive activation in young animals, and a lower likelihood of early conception for females with low body mass in M. ravelobensis. Our results suggest high, adaptive reproductive plasticity in M. ravelobensis that may enable individuals to respond flexibly to yearly environmental changes and expand the reproductive period under favorable conditions. These species differences in reproductive schedules may be the result of the divergent evolutionary histories of the two mouse lemur species in different parts of Madagascar.
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9
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Kollikowski A, Jeschke S, Radespiel U. Experimental Evaluation of Spontaneous Olfactory Discrimination in Two Nocturnal Primates (Microcebus murinus and M. lehilahytsara). Chem Senses 2021; 45:581-592. [PMID: 32710747 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjaa051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Solitary species often employ chemocommunication to facilitate mate localization. In the solitarily foraging, nocturnal mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.), females advertise their short period of estrus acoustically and by increased scent marking, whereas males search widely for receptive females. Both sexes can be trained by operant conditioning to discriminate conspecific from heterospecific urine scent. However, it is not known, if males during and outside the reproductive season show different spontaneous interest in conspecific female urine, and if urine from estrous females elicits a higher investigation response than that from diestrous females. We established a spontaneous discrimination paradigm and quantified olfactory investigation responses of 21 captive male mouse lemurs of M. lehilahytsara and M. murinus when presenting 1 conspecific and 1 heterospecific female urine odor sample simultaneously. Overall, M. murinus investigated stimuli significantly longer than M. lehilahytsara. Moreover, males of M. murinus showed significantly longer olfactory investigation at conspecific urine samples during but not outside the reproductive season. This indicates that female urinary cues are spontaneously discriminated by male M. murinus and that this discrimination is more relevant during the reproductive season. However, males of both species did not show different responses toward urine samples from estrous versus diestrous females. Finally, male age did not correlate with the overall duration of olfactory investigation, and investigation levels were similar when testing with fresh or frozen urine samples. In conclusion, this new spontaneous discrimination paradigm provides a useful additional tool to study olfactory communication of nocturnal primates from the receiver's perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Kollikowski
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg, Hannover, Germany
| | - Selina Jeschke
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg, Hannover, Germany
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg, Hannover, Germany
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10
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Durden LA, Kessler SE, Radespiel U, Hasiniaina AF, Stekolnikov AA, Chalkowski K, Zohdy S. Host Associations of Ectoparasites of the Gray Mouse Lemur, Microcebus murinus, in Northwestern Madagascar. J Parasitol 2021; 107:108-114. [PMID: 33567091 DOI: 10.1645/20-145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Eight species of ectoparasites were collected during 225 gray mouse lemur, Microcebus murinus (J. F. Miller), captures, in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar, in 2010-2011. The ixodid tick, Haemaphysalis lemuris Hoogstraal, was the most common ectoparasite and was mostly represented by nymphs. Other ectoparasites recorded include the polyplacid sucking louse, Lemurpediculus madagascariensis Durden, Kessler, Radespiel, Zimmermann, Hasiniaina, and Zohdy; the ixodid tick, Haemaphysalis simplex Neumann; an undescribed laelapid mite in the genus Aetholaelaps; another laelapid belonging to the genus Androlaelaps; the chigger mite Schoutedenichia microcebi Stekolnikov; an undescribed species of atopomelid mite in the genus Listrophoroides; and an undescribed species of psoroptid mite in the genus Cheirogalalges. Except for the 2 species of ticks and 1 species of chigger, these ectoparasites may be host-specific to M. murinus. Total tick (H. lemuris and H. simplex) infestation was significantly greater in August than October, whereas louse (L. madagascariensis) infestation was significantly greater in October. There was no significant difference in tick infestations between male and female lemurs, but male lemurs had significantly more lice than female lemurs. Reproductive status was not a significant predictor of tick infestation in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance A Durden
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 4324 Old Register Road, Statesboro, Georgia 30458
| | - Sharon E Kessler
- Department of Psychology, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, United Kingdom.,Department of Anthropology, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Alida F Hasiniaina
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.,Facultés des Sciences, Technologies et de l'Environnement, Université de Mahajanga, Rue Georges V - Immeuble KAKAL, Mahajanga Be, B.P. 652, Mahajanga 401, Madagascar
| | - Alexandr A Stekolnikov
- Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya embankment 1, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Kayleigh Chalkowski
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849
| | - Sarah Zohdy
- School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, College of Veterinary Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849
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Crowley BE. Captive Dwarf and Mouse Lemurs Have Variable Fur Growth. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1288. [PMID: 32731532 PMCID: PMC7460524 DOI: 10.3390/ani10081288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Researchers typically assume constant fur and hair growth for primates, but the few studies that have investigated growth explicitly suggest this may not be the case. Instead, growth may vary considerably among individuals and across seasons. One might expect this variability to be most pronounced for species that have seasonally variable activity patterns (e.g., Madagascar's Cheiorogaleidae). In particular, dwarf lemurs (Cheirogaleus spp.) undergo considerable changes in their daily activity levels (torpor) in the austral fall, when nights get shorter. I monitored regrowth of shaved fur patches for eight adult captive fat-tailed dwarf lemurs (Cheirogaleus medius) and gray mouse lemurs (Microcebusmurinus) on a bi-weekly basis for 21 months in total. Regrowth varied considerably both within and among individuals. Overall, fur regrew in spurts and was faster for mouse lemurs (0-14 to 215-229 days) than dwarf lemurs (27-40 to 313-327 days). There were significant differences between species and an obvious influence of season for dwarf lemurs, but no clear influence of shave location, age, or sex. Similar trends have been previously reported for captive lemurids, suggesting that seasonal fur growth may be widespread across Lemuroidea. Researchers are cautioned against using primate fur or hair to investigate variables confounded by seasonality (such as diet and body condition) until patterns of growth are better understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke Erin Crowley
- Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0013, USA; ; Tel.: +1-513-551-7181
- Department of Anthropology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221-0380, USA
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12
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Schüßler D, Blanco MB, Salmona J, Poelstra J, Andriambeloson JB, Miller A, Randrianambinina B, Rasolofoson DW, Mantilla-Contreras J, Chikhi L, Louis EE, Yoder AD, Radespiel U. Ecology and morphology of mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.) in a hotspot of microendemism in northeastern Madagascar, with the description of a new species. Am J Primatol 2020; 82:e23180. [PMID: 32716088 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Delimitation of cryptic species is increasingly based on genetic analyses but the integration of distributional, morphological, behavioral, and ecological data offers unique complementary insights into species diversification. We surveyed communities of nocturnal mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.) in five different sites of northeastern Madagascar, measuring a variety of morphological parameters and assessing reproductive states for 123 individuals belonging to five different lineages. We documented two different non-sister lineages occurring in sympatry in two areas. In both cases, sympatric species pairs consisted of a locally restricted (M. macarthurii or M. sp. #3) and a more widespread lineage (M. mittermeieri or M. lehilahytsara). Estimated Extents of Occurrence (EOO) of these lineages differed remarkably with 560 and 1,500 km2 versus 9,250 and 50,700 km2 , respectively. Morphometric analyses distinguished unambiguously between sympatric species and detected more subtle but significant differences among sister lineages. Tail length and body size were most informative in this regard. Reproductive schedules were highly variable among lineages, most likely impacted by phylogenetic relatedness and environmental variables. While sympatric species pairs differed in their reproductive timing (M. sp. #3/M. lehilahytsara and M. macarthurii/M. mittermeieri), warmer lowland rainforests were associated with a less seasonal reproductive schedule for M. mittermeieri and M. lehilahytsara compared with populations occurring in montane forests. Distributional, morphological, and ecological data gathered in this study support the results of genomic species delimitation analyses conducted in a companion study, which identified one lineage, M. sp. #3, as meriting formal description as a new species. Consequently, a formal species description is included. Worryingly, our data also show that geographically restricted populations of M. sp. #3 and its sister species (M. macarthurii) are at high risk of local and perhaps permanent extinction from both deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Schüßler
- Research Group Ecology and Environmental Education, Institute of Biology and Chemistry, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Marina B Blanco
- Duke Lemur Center, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.,Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jordi Salmona
- Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité 11 Biologique, CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, IRD, UMR5174 EDB, Toulouse, France
| | - Jelmer Poelstra
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jean B Andriambeloson
- Zoology and Animal Biodiversity, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Alex Miller
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Blanchard Randrianambinina
- Groupe d'Etude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP), Antananarivo, Madagascar.,Faculté des Sciences, University of Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - David W Rasolofoson
- Groupe d'Etude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP), Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Jasmin Mantilla-Contreras
- Research Group Ecology and Environmental Education, Institute of Biology and Chemistry, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Lounès Chikhi
- Laboratoire Évolution et Diversité 11 Biologique, CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, IRD, UMR5174 EDB, Toulouse, France.,Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Edward E Louis
- Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Anne D Yoder
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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13
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Poelstra JW, Salmona J, Tiley GP, Schüßler D, Blanco MB, Andriambeloson JB, Bouchez O, Campbell CR, Etter PD, Hohenlohe PA, Hunnicutt KE, Iribar A, Johnson EA, Kappeler PM, Larsen PA, Manzi S, Ralison JM, Randrianambinina B, Rasoloarison RM, Rasolofoson DW, Stahlke AR, Weisrock DW, Williams RC, Chikhi L, Louis EE, Radespiel U, Yoder AD. Cryptic Patterns of Speciation in Cryptic Primates: Microendemic Mouse Lemurs and the Multispecies Coalescent. Syst Biol 2020; 70:203-218. [PMID: 32642760 DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syaa053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse lemurs (Microcebus) are a radiation of morphologically cryptic primates distributed throughout Madagascar for which the number of recognized species has exploded in the past two decades. This taxonomic revision has prompted understandable concern that there has been substantial oversplitting in the mouse lemur clade. Here, we investigate mouse lemur diversity in a region in northeastern Madagascar with high levels of microendemism and predicted habitat loss. We analyzed RADseq data with multispecies coalescent (MSC) species delimitation methods for two pairs of sister lineages that include three named species and an undescribed lineage previously identified to have divergent mtDNA. Marked differences in effective population sizes, levels of gene flow, patterns of isolation-by-distance, and species delimitation results were found among the two pairs of lineages. Whereas all tests support the recognition of the presently undescribed lineage as a separate species, the species-level distinction of two previously described species, M. mittermeieri and M. lehilahytsara is not supported-a result that is particularly striking when using the genealogical discordance index (gdi). Nonsister lineages occur sympatrically in two of the localities sampled for this study, despite an estimated divergence time of less than 1 Ma. This suggests rapid evolution of reproductive isolation in the focal lineages and in the mouse lemur clade generally. The divergence time estimates reported here are based on the MSC calibrated with pedigree-based mutation rates and are considerably more recent than previously published fossil-calibrated relaxed-clock estimates. We discuss the possible explanations for this discrepancy, noting that there are theoretical justifications for preferring the MSC estimates in this case. [Cryptic species; effective population size; microendemism; multispecies coalescent; speciation; species delimitation.].
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jordi Salmona
- CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, IRD; UMR5174 EDB (Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique), 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - George P Tiley
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Dominik Schüßler
- Research Group Ecology and Environmental Education, Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Universitaetsplatz 1, 31141 Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Marina B Blanco
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.,Duke Lemur Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - Jean B Andriambeloson
- Department of Zoology and Animal Biodiversity, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Olivier Bouchez
- INRA, US 1426, GeT-PlaGe, Genotoul, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - C Ryan Campbell
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.,Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Paul D Etter
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Paul A Hohenlohe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - Kelsie E Hunnicutt
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA
| | - Amaia Iribar
- CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, IRD; UMR5174 EDB (Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique), 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Eric A Johnson
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - Peter M Kappeler
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter A Larsen
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.,Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA
| | - Sophie Manzi
- CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, IRD; UMR5174 EDB (Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique), 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - JosÉ M Ralison
- Department of Zoology and Animal Biodiversity, University of Antananarivo, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Blanchard Randrianambinina
- Groupe d'Etude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP), BP 779, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar.,Faculté des Sciences, University of Mahajanga, Mahajanga, Madagascar
| | - Rodin M Rasoloarison
- Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology Unit, German Primate Center, Kellnerweg 6, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - David W Rasolofoson
- Groupe d'Etude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar (GERP), BP 779, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
| | - Amanda R Stahlke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Bioinformatics and Evolutionary Studies, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - David W Weisrock
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506, USA
| | - Rachel C Williams
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.,Duke Lemur Center, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA
| | - LounÈs Chikhi
- CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, IRD; UMR5174 EDB (Laboratoire Évolution & Diversité Biologique), 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France.,Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, 2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Edward E Louis
- Grewcock Center for Conservation and Research, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany Jelmer Poelstra, Jordi Salmona, George P. Tiley are the joint first authors. Ute Radespiel and Anne D. Yoder are the joint senior authors
| | - Anne D Yoder
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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14
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Radespiel U, Lutermann H, Schmelting B, Zimmermann E. An empirical estimate of the generation time of mouse lemurs. Am J Primatol 2019; 81:e23062. [PMID: 31631370 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The generation time of organisms drives the rate of change in populations and across evolutionary times. In long-lived species, generation time should also account for overlapping generations, and the average age of parents has been proposed as a best approximation under these conditions. This study uses this definition to estimate the generation time of a widely studied small primate, Microcebus murinus, based on parentage data generated for a free-living population over a 6-year period in northwestern Madagascar. The average age of parents was calculated separately for mothers and fathers of three different offspring cohorts that differed in the degree of demographic uncertainty. In addition, adult survival rates were calculated for males and females based on long-term capture data from the same population to estimate the possible upper limits of generation time. Adult survival was low with only 44% of adult females and 38% of adult males being recaptured at the beginning of their second breeding season. The average age of mothers was 1.56-1.91 years, pointing toward a 2-year female generation time due to the high proportion of 1-year old mothers in all three cohorts. Female generation time estimates were fairly stable across the three offspring cohorts. In contrast, the average age of fathers differed by more than 1 year from the first to the third offspring cohort (1.71-2.83 years) pointing toward a 3-year generation time, but also suggesting a higher degree of demographic uncertainty in the early years of the study. For future modeling purposes, we, therefore, propose to use the average, 2.5 years, of male and female values as new estimate for the generation time of mouse lemurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heike Lutermann
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | | | - Elke Zimmermann
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
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15
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Rina Evasoa M, Zimmermann E, Hasiniaina AF, Rasoloharijaona S, Randrianambinina B, Radespiel U. Sources of variation in social tolerance in mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.). BMC Ecol 2019; 19:20. [PMID: 31101046 PMCID: PMC6525410 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-019-0236-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social tolerance strongly influences the patterns of affiliation and aggression in animal societies. However, not much is known about the variation of social tolerance in species living in dispersed social systems that combine solitary foraging activities with the need of coordinating social interactions with conspecifics on a regular basis. This study aims to investigate the sources of variation in social tolerance within a Malagasy primate radiation with dispersed social systems, the mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.). Six mouse lemur species were selected as model species that belong to three different taxonomic clades, live in two types of forest environments (dry and humid), and differed in this study with respect to their reproductive activity. Six male-female and six male-male dyads of each species were tested temporarily in a standardized social encounter paradigm in Madagascar to collect data on joint use of space, non-agonistic body contacts, aggression rates, the number of conflicts and the establishment of intra- and intersexual dominance. RESULTS Male-female dyads of the six species differed significantly in the frequency of affiliative and agonistic behaviors. In contrast, the variations between male-male dyads could not be explained by one parameter only, but clade membership, forest type, reproductive state as well as species were all suggested to be partially influential. Only one species (Microcebus mamiratra) showed signals of unambiguous female dominance in all male-female dyads, whereas the others had no or only a few dyads with female dominance. CONCLUSIONS Variations in social tolerance and its consequences are most likely influenced by two factors, ecology (via forest type) and physiology (via reproductive activity), and only to a lesser extent by clade membership. The study suggests that mouse lemur females have higher aggression rates and more agonistic conflicts with males when females in the population are reproducing, at least in resource-rich humid forests. The study confirms a high degree of social plasticity between species in these small solitary foragers that supports their taxonomic distinctiveness and requires further scientific attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mamy Rina Evasoa
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Elke Zimmermann
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Ute Radespiel
- Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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